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The system includes tasks or problems that teachers can implement with their students, and rubrics that help the teacher interpret students' responses. Teachers using MFAS ask students to perform mathematical tasks, explain their reasoning, and justify their solutions. Rubrics for interpreting and evaluating student responses are included so that teachers can differentiate instruction based on students' strategies instead of relying solely on correct or incorrect answers. The objective is to understand student thinking so that teaching can be adapted to improve student achievement of mathematical goals related to the standards. Like all formative assessment, MFAS is a process rather than a test. Research suggests that well-designed and implemented formative assessment is an effective strategy for enhancing student learning. This system is available on CPALMS to all stakeholders in Florida, including teachers, parents and students, at no cost. This project is currently under development but please see below a list of available and under development components:
Access 1,300+ tasks and rubrics that cover each of the mathematics standards for grades K through Algebra and Geometry. There is an average of four formative assessments for each standard.
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Access 20 lesson study resource kits for grades K – 3, Algebra, and Geometry. These resource kits support teams of teachers engaging in the process of lesson study. Each resource kit is integrated into the iCPALMS Lesson Study Support System and interactively guide teachers through the stages of lesson study.
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Access a professional development program consisting of four modules. These modules introduce elementary teachers to the formative assessment process, the Mathematics Formative Assessment System (MFAS), important content related to the Florida Standards in the context of formative assessment, and considerations in using MFAS with English Language Learners (ELL).
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Access a professional development program consisting of two modules. These modules introduce grades 6-8 and high school teachers to the formative assessment process and the Mathematics Formative Assessment System (MFAS).
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Access a professional development program designed for leaders of elementary teachers of mathematics. This module introduces instructional leaders to formative assessment and includes guidance on how to support teachers in its use.
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Access a progression of the MAFS K – 3 standards for mathematics. This progression displays the interrelationships among standards and can be used by teachers when implementing formative assessment tasks and rubrics.
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As part of the MFAS project, two randomized field trials of the effect of the use of MFAS on student achievement and teacher knowledge of content and pedagogy are being conducted. The results of these studies are very promising. Students of teachers who implemented MFAS over the course of the study performed significantly better on a mathematics achievement test than students of control teachers.
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